Pleural Cavities and Lungs Practical 1.2.15 Flashcards
The left costomediastinal recess is larger than the right, why?
The midaxillary line is used to insert
insert a pleural tap (thoracentesis), to remove air or fluid from the pleural cavity.
What is the function of the pleural cavities?
They provide surface tension and cohesion to keep the lung surfaces in contact with the thoracic wall.
The left costomediastinal recess is larger than the right, why?
Due to the presence of the cardiac notch in the left lung, which is more pronounced than the notch in the parietal pleural surrounding the left lung.
What is the name of the muscle forming the posterior wall of the trachea?
Trachealis muscle
What are the differences between the left and right main bronchi?
Right main bronchus – wider, shorter and more vertical than the left main bronchus
Left main bronchus – thin, long and more horizontal than right main bronchus.
What do the main bronchi divide into?
Right main bronchus – 3 lobar bronchi
Left main bronchus – 2 lobar bronchi
Which vessel carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs?
Pulmonary arteries
In which part of the bronchial tree does the function change from the passage of air to gas exchange?
At the respiratory bronchioles
What prevents the alveoli from collapsing?
They are coated in a thin film of pulmonary surfactant
What features are you looking for to identify a left lung?
Left lung – lingual and cardiac notch
Right lung – Middle lobe and horizontal fissure
Can you list any other structures that pass through the hilum of the lung which may not be seen in the prosections?
Bronchial arteries and veins, lymph vessels, efferent and afferent autonomic nerves.
The pulmonary veins carry which type of blood?
Oxygenated blood
Identify the pulmonary ligament. What is its function?
Stabilise the position of the inferior lobe of the lung, may also accommodate for movement of the lungs during respiration
On which lung would you find the lingula and cardiac notch?
Left lung
On which lung is the oblique fissure found?
Right lung
Which landmarks divide the mediastinum into the superior and inferior mediastinum?
Sternal angle and the intervertebral disc between T4 & T
what are the contents of the superior mediastinum?
Oesophagus, trachea, phrenic nerves
what are the contents of the middle mediastinum?
heart, ascending aorta, trachea
what are the contents of the posterior mediastinum?
thoracic aorta, azygous vein, main bronchus, oesophagus
The visceral pleura is innervated by the autonomic nervous system, whereas the parietal pleura is innervated by several nerves. What is the innervation to the costal parietal pleura?
Intercostal nerves
what does the phrenic nerve innervate?
mediastinal pleura, diaphragmatic pleura and diaphragm
which structures of the thorax does the vagus nerve provide parasympathetic innervation to>
lungs and heart
the vagus nerve passes posterior to which structure of the respiratory system?
it passes posterior to the root of the lung
